Flag of Haiti

What the flag looks like

Two horizontal bands of blue over red, with a white rectangle in the center holding the coat of arms: a palm tree topped by a cap of liberty, flanked by flags and cannons above the motto "L'Union Fait La Force".

What it means

The blue and red come from the French tricolor with the white removed, and represent the union of Black and mixed-race Haitians; the motto means "Unity makes strength".

How to remember it

Haiti is blue over red with a white panel holding a palm tree; Liechtenstein shares the blue-over-red but has a gold crown in the corner.

Fun facts

• According to tradition, the first flag was made on 18 May 1803 when Jean-Jacques Dessalines tore the white out of a French tricolor and Catherine Flon sewed the rest together; 18 May is Flag Day.
• Haiti became independent in 1804, the first nation founded after a successful revolt by enslaved people.

Haiti at a glance

Capital

Port-au-Prince

Region

Caribbean

Population

12 million

Area

27,750 km²

Languages

French, Haitian Creole

Currency

Haitian gourde (G)

Flag adopted

1986

Flags often confused with Haiti

• Liechtenstein: Haiti and Liechtenstein are both blue over red. Haiti has a white panel with a coat of arms in the center; Liechtenstein has a small gold crown in the top corner.